2. Pluchea foetida (L.) DC. var. foetida (marsh fleabane, stinking fleabane)
Pl. 295 f; Map
perennial, sometimes with short rhizomes. Stems 40–100 cm long,
minutely glandular-hairy, especially toward the tip, usually also with fine,
cobwebby hairs, at least toward the tip. Leaves sessile, clasping the stem,
often somewhat purplish-tinged. Leaf blades 4–10(–13) cm long,
oblong to elliptic or less commonly narrowly ovate to ovate, cordate at the
base, rounded or angled to short-tapered to a bluntly or sharply pointed tip,
the margins finely toothed, both surfaces with sparse, sessile, spherical
glands, the undersurface also minutely hairy. Inflorescences of relatively
dense clusters at the branch tips, these sometimes paniculate, usually
appearing flat-topped in profile. Heads 6–12 mm in diameter. Involucre
4–8 mm long, the bracts oblong-lanceolate, mostly tapered at the tip,
green or more commonly papery and straw-colored, the inner bracts sometimes
pinkish- or purplish-tinged, the outer surface with sessile, spherical glands
and often also minute hairs. Corollas 4–7 mm long, light cream-colored.
Pappus bristles 3–6 mm long, white or pinkish-tinged. 2n=20.
Known only from
a single historical collection from Butler County (Florida to New Jersey west
to Missouri and Texas, mostly along the southeastern Coastal Plain; Caribbean Islands). Habitat unknown, but presumably bottomland forests, swamps, or sloughs.
The var. imbricata
Kearney, which some botanists choose not recognize, occurs in southern Georgia and Florida. It differs from var. foetida in its somewhat taller stems and slightly